Chapter 1-
Different sides to guidance
THE WORD OF GOD
- (Matt 22:29) Jesus answered and said
to them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
When we are looking for guidance in our
life, the most important thing to do is to turn to the Bible and learn its main
principles. God has given us His word; in it we can learn His will and
understand the principles upon which He wants to lead us. He does not want us
to seek guidance outside His word; instead, he wants us to understand His plan
and will. That being said, we must be very careful about how we approach
Biblical text. It’s important to consider verses in their proper context, and
to avoid randomly pulling verses out of the Bible.
In practice this means that God never leads anyone into sin or to go
against His will. We come to know His will by reading the Bible. God will not
lead anyone into committing adultery (Hebr 13:4) or crimes, having premarital
sexual relationships (1 Cor 7:1-5), practicing homosexuality (1 Cor 6:9,10), or
abortion (You shall not kill, Rom 13:9). He does not want us to harm others or ourselves (Rom 13:10:
Love works no ill to his neighbor), and does not want us to act irresponsibly or break the law (Proverbs
24:21, Romans 13:1-5). These actions are repeatedly mentioned in the Bible as
being harmful. He never speaks, leads, or inspires prophecies that go against
His principles. Instead, He wants us to leave sin and enter into His presence.
The following quote
describes what may happen if God’s principles are ignored.
It describes a situation in which people divorced after hearing
"prophecies," because they did not test these messages in the light
of the word of God. Many errors are made this way, when guidance is not
examined in the light of God’s principles and lessons:
There are also other ways to
undermine the authority of the word of God. Some of my friends had a firm
evangelical background and a heart, which burned for God. They started to attend
a group whose members seemed to demonstrate spiritual gifts. At first, the
prophesies were according to the Bible, and they loved to see how God worked in
this way. However, little by little the contents of the prophesies started to
differ from the normal understanding of the truth of the Bible. They, however,
blindly trusted the prophesies and did not dare to question them. As a result,
at least five homes were broken through divorces, by the order of the
"spirit." When we talked about this with them in the light of the
word of God, nobody listened. Disguised as “super spirituality,” the authority
of the Bible had been displaced. It is clear that the spirit who gave the
orders was not the Holy Spirit. (1)
GIVING UP OUR LIFE TO GOD. When we are looking for
guidance from God, the first condition is that we have been saved and have
given our life to Him. Sometimes guidance is missing because we have not turned
over our life, or we may possess “idols” that prevent us from realizing His
perfect will. Idols can be things like hobbies, following sports, magazines,
television. These can become our idols – even though they in themselves are not
wrong – because they steal away the time we might otherwise be sharing with
God. Television is especially addictive; computers are the worst distractions.
We can waste many precious hours with them, every day. This is what Jesus said
about this:
- (Matt 16:25) For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
- (Luke 17:32-33) Remember Lot’s wife.
33 Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and
whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
David Wilkerson also talked about
misusing our free time in his book Näky (The Vision) 30 years ago. In
this book, he wrote that the Christians who live closest to the time of Jesus’
second coming would spend the least time with Him. This description is
certainly true in the life of many Christians today:
I can see that the sin of the
future is misusing our free time. This does not refer to the weeks spent on
holiday. It is not a question of the time you spend in Europe or in the Holy
Land. It is not a question of taking a hunting or fishing trip. It is not a
question of hours spent surfing, boating, water-skiing or riding. No! I believe
that all these things are good. I speak about the time that has been wasted;
time which we ourselves can choose how to use; time which he could use
discussing with the heavenly Father.
I can see that Satan
comes again to accuse the last Christians:
Look
at that Christian, slave of the television! Look at him! He spends hours of his
time looking at TV series, comedies, sports, but he does not have time to be
with God. He has no time in his schedule for God. He hunts, fishes, travels,
plays golf, tennis, and basketball. He goes to the movies and parties, but he
does not have time to read the Bible or pray. Is this the Christian of the last
days walking in faith? Is this the Christian whose faith conquers the world? Is
this the Christian whose objective is to get ready for the last days when
persecution and chaos rule the world? Are these Christians crushed by the
world?
The greatest sin against God in the
future will not be the abuse of one's body, nor satisfying the lusts of the
flesh, not even cursing His name. The greatest sin against God will be that
people do not care for Him when He clearly calls for them. I see a development,
which has taken place behind closed doors. Christians in the last days, who
live much closer to the coming of Christ than the first Christians, will spend
the least time before Him.
IN A NATURAL WAY. When we are looking for guidance, we should note that God generally
does not give us supernatural signs or visions, dreams and revelations every
day. Even though He can give us detailed instructions, which the Bible also
mentions in Acts (Acts 8:29 16:9,10), the biggest part of His guidance is
delivered on a natural level, the level of everyday life. This means that if we
first give our life to God and search for His will, we will receive guidance.
It usually comes in a form that we do not always recognize. The general rule is
that we first search for His will and turn to Him and pray. What is special
about this kind of “natural” guidance is that we may not notice until later how
God led us all the time. We might, perhaps, notice later that we have been in
His plans all the time, even though we did not see any special signs:
- (Jer 31:9) They shall come with weeping, and with supplications
will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a
straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and
Ephraim is my firstborn.
- (Matt 6:33) But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
Another
important point about guidance is that we ought to use our common sense. We
will not necessarily receive special
guidance for every situation we meet in
life. That is when we must act according to our better understanding and common
sense. George Müller, for example, followed this principle. He first drew a
line on a piece of paper, on one side of the line he wrote down
the positive
points, and on the other side the negative. He said that "by using this
method I was never misled."
We should still note that guidance that is directed through supernatural
signs (for example, whispers directing us where to turn, or what to do) or
trying to force us into action, or threatening us; or visions that do not
cease, are characteristic of activity by evil spirits. If you hear such
supernatural whispers almost all the time, or even see the world of spirits
constantly, your guidance is certainly not from God.
WRONG ASSURANCE AND enthusiasm. Our
own enthusiasm, imagination, and self-assurance can create some of the biggest
obstacles to guidance. We may be so enthusiastic about something that we never
stop to ask the will of God or show good judgment.
This is very common in
matters of love and fancy. The biggest mistakes come from being blind to the
imperfections of the person we love. We may not pay any attention to many
everyday activities that will effect the relationship (e.g., using money,
sharing the same calling, etc.). Many of the false steps taken in love and
fancy might have been avoided if our own vivid imagination, enthusiasm, and
self-assurance had not falsely directed us. The Proverbs also talk about this:
- (Pro 19:2) Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not
good; and he that hastens with his feet sins.
Similarly, a vivid imagination and
self-assurance can be connected to ministry. In ministry our own enthusiasm and
imagination can make a mess out of everything. Signs of this are being
completely sure about the plan of God in advance, declaring people to be healed
prematurely, promising a miracle, failing to search for God's plan as events
unfold. This kind of a person does not take into consideration the fact that
Jesus never did anything the Father had not planned for His life; He only tried
to do what He knew to be the plan of God in each case. He said about Himself:
- (John 5:19) Then answered Jesus and said to them, Truly, truly, I
say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father
do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise.
The next example told by Mel Tari
describes this well. It describes people who were trying to create a miracle
that, ultimately, was not part of God’s plan. They confused their own
enthusiasm with the will of God. The example indicates that we must first know
the plan and will of God for us, or in the current circumstances; otherwise, we
will go astray. This is the most important part of all spiritual work, and we
must understand it if we are to succeed in serving God.
One thing is sure. After the
beginning of the revival, we must have learnt that it is best not to pressure
God. We cannot demand Him to do things our way, even though for us it would seem
like the wisest thing to do. We must not take "steps of faith,"
before we are sure that it is the will of God.
Otherwise, we
will create a mess. If we try to cross a river three meters deep without the
Lord ordering us to do so, we will surely sink to the bottom and drown, even
though our motives were spiritual, such as to testify to the Muslims who are
standing by the river.
Some believers
tried in faith to ask God to raise their friend from the dead, but they did not
stop to ask what God thought about it. They were so enthusiastic about their
idea that they repeatedly told God that if only He would do a miracle, His name
would be glorified. It might also start a revival in that region.
But God does not
need men to defend Himself. He does not need to do a miracle to prove that he
is God. The Lord did not raise the person from the dead. He knew what would
happen: instead of Him, the miracle would have got all the glory.
God also knew
that my friends wanted to claim some of the fame for themselves. They were not
strong enough to give all the glory to Jesus. If someone would have said to
them, "How spiritual you are! Tell me the secret of your great
faith", the flattery might have made them proud and destroyed them
spiritually. (2)
Another more tragic example shows that you should not continue if you
are not completely sure that God is involved in your activities. The example
tells about people who took “a leap of faith” but without God having planned it
for them. The example shows how dependent upon God we are and that we must be
aware of his “rhema word” to make anything work.
I
heard about a group of Korean young people who were going to a youth camp when
their trip seemed to end before it even started. A road was cut off because a
flood had destroyed a bridge. The youth decided to continue in faith and walk
on water. They walked into the flooding stream together like Peter in his time.
Their bodies were found downstream a couple of days later. The event caused a
major commotion in Korea. A reverend discussed the reasons of the accident in
public by explaining what the word rhema means. The youth only had logos and no
rhema. Mere great faith or fancy is not enough for such a step if there is no
rhema to base one's faith on.
Rhema is not necessary for
everything, though. It would be completely overly spiritual to claim that our
prayers of faith should always be based on a special announcement from God.
This is only rarely needed. However, in the case of serious and great steps,
rhema is sometimes necessary. We cannot walk on water, raise the dead or do
other powerful deeds on mere faith. If God gives you rhema, however, you should
proceed in faith and the word will become true in your life. In such a case,
faith means obedience and God will provide you with the necessary faith. (3)
SIGNIFICANCE OF INNER
TESTIMONY. One of the most important issues in guidance is inner testimony. It
means that we do not have to find guidance from the outside through others.
Instead, God will give each of His followers the understanding and assurance
needed to know where to go and where not to go. It is a question of whether our
inner life is peaceful or troubled. If a Christian is troubled, hesitant or
restless (hasty, fast decisions should be avoided), it can be considered a
warning sign. If we feel an inner assurance and peace, however, it means that
we are going in the right direction. The more we think about it, the better we
feel about what we are doing; this is a “green light” coming from God. This sense
of peace and calm assures us that our course is being set by God. We find many
verses in the Bible about this:
- (Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you are called in one body; and be you
thankful.
- (Phil 4:7) And the peace of God,
which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.
- (Isaiah 48:17,18) Thus said the LORD, your
Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD your God which teaches you to
profit, which leads you by the way that you should go.
18 O that you had listened to my commandments! then
had your peace been as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea:
- (Rom 8:9,16) But you are not in the flesh,
but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man
have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God:
- (1 John 5:10) He that believes on the Son of
God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar;
because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son.
- (1 Cor 3:16) Know you not that you are the
temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
- (Eph 1:13) In whom you also trusted, after
that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also
after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
This means that inner testimony is one of the most important elements in
guidance. If the guidance we receive does not contradict the Scripture, and the
person receiving the guidance has inner peace, then it can be considered a
green light. John Bevere described his experience:
Whether
the word comes from another person or whether we hear it in our hearts, the
peace found through the spirit of Christ is always the determining issue. If we
feel peace in our hearts, it is the Holy Spirit’s confirmation for the truth.
If there is unrest or worry in our hearts, God’s Spirit has not spoken to us.
(...)
When we needed an
administrative manager for our service work, I spent more than a year finding
the right person. Four good men were offered to us during that time. We looked
at their resumes and interviewed two of them. Three of them were more qualified
than I had even imagined. (...) Despite their great accomplishments, we only
had a little or no peace in our hearts. My friends asked questions, and my
understanding was purely screaming. I thought, “Have you become so religious
that you cannot hire a good man when you see one?” Every time I rejected a
candidate, I thought, “Will I ever get the help we need?” By the time we
interviewed the third person, I convinced myself to move on. I did not have
peace deep inside me, however. The unrest or sign became so powerful that I
finally understood that hiring that person was surely not of God, and God was
merciful.
During this period of time, my wife often
said to me, “You should speak to Scott before hiring anyone.” Scott had assisted
us a couple of times as a volunteer. After having interviewed the others, I
asked Scott whether he was interested. He prayed to find out and said he was.
The day he came to my office to meet us, God’s peace and presence flowed into
my heart and that of my wife, and they filled the entire office. We glanced at
each other, surprised, all through the interview. We were shocked at feeling
such peace instead of the unrest we had felt during the previous interviews. We
knew without a doubt that Scott was God’s choice because we felt the testimony
of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Scott is a huge blessing for our service
work. All the other men were truly God-fearing men but they were not God’s
choice for this position. (4)
OUR
BEHAVIOUR
- (2 Tim 1:7) For God
has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind.
- (Col 4:5-6) Walk
in wisdom toward them that are without,
redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned
with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.
One important aspect of guidance is correct behaviour. It should be
balanced and filled with love and peace towards our neighbours – just like
Jesus’ behaviour. If we do not have love and the fruit of the Spirit (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law, Gal 5:22,23), if we act aggressively or act
as if we know everything and never admit our faults, then it will be very
difficult for people to receive the Gospel – they will tend to reject it. In
the same way, if people see that there is exaggeration, extremities, or
unfairness without the respect of God in our lives, they usually are offended.
It is also then difficult for them to receive the message of the Gospel.
When doing the work of the God and spreading the
Gospel, a person can be overcome by religious hate without even knowing it. It is
not a question of hating what is wrong or wrong behaviour; it is an attitude
lacking love towards specific groups, such as homosexuals, Jehovah’s witnesses
or unbelieving priests. It means that we do not have to like all the things
these people and other people represent but if someone has a harsh, judgemental
and reproachful attitude, the attitude will probably keep these people from
entering the kingdom of God. They will move away from God instead of coming
closer to Him.
Bill Hybels has written about the wrong attitudes
often seen in evangelism. He states that if we have done something wrong or
inept, an apology can improve the situation. We should not forget this. An
apology can make right harmful attitudes and words.
Many people have asked me over the years what
they should do to make right the wrong acts they have committed during
evangelism. When they have pressurised people. When they have ruined the whole
thing. When they have tried to help someone believe while God actually only
wanted them to help the other until twenty.
My answer is always the same:
“What about apologising? I don’t know your situation in detail but my
non-believing friends simply love it when I apologise to them.”
(...)
If you have done something wrong when telling people about Christ, go to those
whom you have trespassed and beg for their forgiveness. “I tried to run faster
and farther than the Spirit urged.” Or: “I tired you with my talking. I
confused you. I preached. I was arrogant. Can you find it in your heart to
forgive me?” No matter what you did, take responsibility and thus take the
first step in making things right. (5)
Behaviour
is also meaningful in a meeting. T.B. Barrat, an apostle of the Pentecostal Movement, pointed out
the meaning of behaviour. He said that even the way we present our case can
ruin a good thing if it is presented in an unusual way. He described people
whose gestures had been uninhibited and unnatural, and many people had
unnecessarily been hurt by this. What was worst was that these people claimed
the Holy Spirit had made them do this.
"The issue can be good, but the way you
present it can ruin it. I have often heard men and women of the revival acting
in this way. Their speech has been overflowing, their gestures uninhibited and
unnatural, and many people have unnecessarily been hurt by this. The worst
thing is that they claim that the Holy Spirit is behind this kind of behaviour.
No, no, and once again no! Undoubtedly, the Spirit of God is in them, but they
do not present what the Spirit would want to say through them in the right way.
Please do not understand me wrong. I do not claim that everyone should be a
perfect speaker, but there is one thing everyone can learn. And it is good that
it is learned." (6)
Let’s study another comment about the same issue. It is from Frank Bartleman’s book Azusa Street, which tells about the
first times of the Pentecostal Movement and how some people were driven into
“empty presenting”. They were not guided by the Spirit in their
“presentations”, as Bartleman stated. These are good
lessons to learn when we want to follow God’s guidance and want our neighbours
to be saved. If our behaviour is not correctly balanced and pleasant, how could
anyone become interested in God?
Occasionally,
there were presentations in which there did not seem to be any guidance of the
Spirit. Such presentations ended quickly. Sometimes the meetings were quite
powerful. But there always seemed to be temptation toward empty presentations,
just like nowadays. No cross is needed in such meetings, no turning away from
selfish life. That is why ‘acting’ is always in popularity.
THE MEANING OF LOVE
- (Matt 22:36-39) Master,
which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said to him, You shall love
the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with
all your mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like to it, You
shall love your neighbour as yourself.
- (1 Cor 13:1,2) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so
that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
As we
speak about guidance, we must not forget the significance of love. As God says,
in addition to Him, we should love our neighbours more and more. If our life does
not go in this direction and we are driven into other actions and attitudes, it
is always departing from the truth and real guidance of God. Expressing a hard,
quarrelsome, and loveless attitude towards others only demonstrates that our
own spiritual life is not on the right course. Some examples of unacceptable
behaviour include refusing to love people who have different taste in music
(Christian rock, etc.), or unrepentant people, or becoming bitter if the
leaders of the church support issues we are unable to accept.
Let’s study some more verses connected with
Paul and his life. Before his conversion he was hostile and cruel, but when God
changed him, he became quite different and a new man. He received love for
people (compare Rom 5:5: …because the love of God
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us)
and worried about apostates and the fallen. He certainly did not threaten and
curse others, which is one quality of false prophets, even though he warned
people about going the wrong way. Instead, he tried to win them by love, giving
us a pattern (Phil 3:17). Let us stay on the same track in our spiritual life,
and we will certainly go in the right direction:
- (2 Cor 12:14-15) Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I
will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the
parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be
spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
- (2 Cor 11:29)
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn
not?
- (2 Cor 2:3-4) And I wrote this same to you, lest, when I came, I should
have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all,
that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish
of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be grieved,
but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly to you.
- (Rom 9:1-3) I say
the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the
Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual
sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed
from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh
- (2 Tim 3:10-11) But
you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
long-suffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came
to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra;
what persecutions I endured: but out of them all
the Lord delivered me.
- (Phil 3:17) Brothers,
be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us
for an ensample.
Respect and honour for people and the government is shown in several verses of
the Bible. We have been encouraged to respect everyone, regardless of whether
they think alike or differently than us. Based on the instructions of the
Bible, our respect should never depend on different views of others. We should
honour everybody: kings, the government, our employer, our parents, our elders
and all people. The Bible says:
- (1 Peter 2:17) Honor
all men. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honor
the king.
- (Rom 13:1,2) Let
every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of
God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2
Whoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves
damnation.
- (1 Peter 2:18) Servants,
be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but
also to the fraudulent.
- (Eph 6:2,3) Honor your father
and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with you, and you may
live long on the earth.
What
about the leaders of people? It is very common for people not to follow this
advise. People often talk about their leaders and what they have done in a
negative and derogatory tone. They point out the leaders’ mistakes and maintain
them in their speeches. This may be because they consider the leaders to be
liberal or they consider the leaders being advocates of issues they themselves
do not like. This blinds people from the fact that they should respect such
leaders – including church leaders – regardless of that.
What's the use of maintaining slander? If we are unable to personally influence
the opinions of the leaders or discuss with them, what's the use of focusing on
what they have done? The Bible clearly instructs us not to become the accuser
but to pray and thank for these people. The most significant issue is that this
advise was voiced by Paul who was repeatedly mistreated by earthly leaders.
- (1 Tim 2:1-4) I
exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in
authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Savior;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and
to come to the knowledge of the truth.
John Bevere writes about the same issue in his book. He tells
about a dream related to respecting leaders of people that his wife saw. Are we
people, whose own behaviour causes people to reject God?
My wife once saw a dream I’ll never forget.
During the office of President Clinton, my wife woke my up one night. She
seemed very upset. She said, “John, I saw a dream, and I must tell you about it.”
(God often speaks to Lisa through dreams.)
She continued, “You and I were in
a great big hall listening to a preacher. I don’t know who the preacher was but
he was popular among the Christians. He spoke against President Clinton,
degrading him. He went on and on about how bad a human being the President is.
Most of the listeners eagerly shouted ‘Amen’, confirming what the preacher
said. You and I felt very uncomfortable.”
Lisa continued, “Then, I saw in
the dimly lit room a man standing up and walking out at the back of the great
hall. I felt like I should follow him. When I reached the building’s lobby, he
turned and looked at me. He was President Clinton. He was very sad; his heart
had broken and then he collapsed.”
Lisa concluded by saying, “John, I
knew in my dream that the President had come to the congregation for assistance
and support, but the congregation disdained him because of lack of love and
pity. God showed me that we hardened his heart so that he turned away from what
he personally and the nation as a whole needed.” (7)
PRIDE
- (Eze 28:15,17) You were perfect in your ways from the day that you
were created, till iniquity was found in you.
17 Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your
brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that
they may behold you.
One thing that can easily lead us
astray and away from the will of God is pride - looking at ourselves. It was also
the devil’s first sin. He admired himself instead of God (the verses above).
Instead of turning to God and being grateful for mercy, he started to look at
himself and his own loveliness, which then led to his ruin.
If we are not careful, this can also happen
to us: we may forget that everything starting from salvation is a gift and
God's mercy. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are such, and so
are miracles. These
are also things like our natural abilities, such as the gift of speech and
writing. These things are not of our own making; we receive these abilities in
the womb. In the end, there is very little that we have not received directly
from God or in birth as a gift. Jesus said,
“Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5) and “Freely you have received,
freely give” (Matt 10:8).
In the same way, Paul brought out, “For who makes you to
differ from
another? and what have you that you did not receive? now if you did receive it,
why do you glory, as if you had not received
it?”
(1 Cor 4:7). These words are important to remember in all spiritual
work, otherwise we will go astray:
- (1 Cor 10:12) Why let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he
fall.
- (Pro 18:12) Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
- (1 John 2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us,
they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might
be made manifest that they were not all of us.
- (Mark 9:34-35) But they held their peace: for by the way they had
disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and said to
them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and
servant of all.
So, there is the danger of
self-admiration and self-pride and it is easy to fall into these emotions when
everything is going well. They usually emerge after we
have won a great victory, or our popularity has risen, or we have received a
lot of praise from people; winning large rewards and being praised by many
others can lead us into thinking too highly of ourselves. Many people may be
captured during such moments by misleading spirits. They are no longer able to
see that everything comes from the grace of God; they become self-centered and can
no longer see things clearly, but like through a curtain. This can happen, even
though the Bible warns us very clearly about thinking too much of ourselves or
seeking for praise from others:
- (Rom 12:3) For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man
that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man
the measure of faith.
- (Gal 6:3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is
nothing, he deceives himself.
- (John 5:44) How can you believe, which receive honor one of
another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?
- (Luke 6:26) Woe to you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
In one prophecy (Stanley Frodsham’s prophecy in 1965) there was a
warning that many may fall under the domination
of misleading spirits in the coming days, because they are used by God in
enormous miracles and signs and they get praise from people. This happens if we
do not see things realistically in the light of the
previous verses, and understand that without Jesus, we can do nothing. Let’s
study this prophecy that describes well how deception is possible. This can
easily happen after great victories:
As I appear to My people with an enormous power
of revival, I prepare them for the dark time which is coming. Along with the
glory is coming great darkness, because glory will prepare My people for the
darkness. I help My people to get through with the help of My Spirit’s
appearing. Be careful that you do not swell with pride and think that you are
already at your destination. Many will become conceited as those who received
My message in the old days, but did not hold to it. Did I not anoint Jehu?
However,
the things according to My wishes did not come true in his life. Listen to
messengers, but do not admire the person of these messengers. For many who
receive from Me the enormous anointment with miracles and signs, will become
proud as they get admiration from people, and they will fall aside. I will not
do it with pleasure; I have prepared them for standing. I will call many to
this work and prepare them for it, but remember that many will fall. They are
like bright lights, about which people are glad. But the misleading spirits
will captivate them so that many of My people go astray. (8)
The
temporal laws and the question of armed service. Temporal laws can also be one part
of God’s guidance. This mainly means that we should observe the current laws,
as far as they do not clearly conflict with the will of God (Acts 4:19). The
Bible indicates that we must not join the rebellious, so anarchy, violence, and
breaking good laws cannot be right. In the Reformation of the 16th
century this happened when some people were driven to extremes, they abandoned the law, and destroyed images. They rejected both the temporal laws and God’s
will because of their wrong religiousness (Acts 19
tells us about how people destroyed magic charms used in sorcery. These actions
were voluntary, and they destroyed only their own objects, not those of
others.):
- (Pro 24:21)
My son,
fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to
change:
- (Rom 13:1-3) Let every soul be
subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that
be are ordained of God.
2 Whoever therefore resists the power, resists the
ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not
be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the
same
What about armed service? Should we
serve in our nation’s army? What does the New Testament teach about military
service? Is it mentioned in the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles?
Service in the military is not directly addressed in the New Testament.
We can, though, make observations about military service that are both positive
and negative. We are going to study them to see if we can shed a little light
on our responsibility for military service. Based on these observations, it is
possible to get a general understanding about what is required of us. However,
it is important that our conscience is not shackled; nobody can determine which
burdens should be placed on a person’s conscience:
The positive points
- The need of authority to use the sword. Even though an individual
should not draw the sword on his own, as Jesus said (Matt 26:52), it is still
reasonable for authorities to use the sword when need arises, because criminals
do this as well. (Rom 13:3,4: the power…bears not the sword in vain.) It is needed to maintain order
and prevent crimes; otherwise, criminals could do anything they like.
On the other hand, a nation’s defense forces might act as an extension
of the police. A police force repels mainly internal threats and criminality,
while military defense forces protect a nation against external attacks. Guns
may also be needed.
- Even though the Commandments
passed to us through Moses make it quite clear that we should not kill, other
laws made acceptable in some cases the death penalty for wrongdoing. (See
Exodus 21:12). In it, a difference between a private person and authority was
made. An individual must not do injustice to anyone, but a wrongdoer can be
punished for his deeds. This rule has also been applied to armed service.
- If the authority turns another
cheek and does not resist evil, it is difficult to maintain order. It leads
only to tolerance for criminal actions. The wrongdoers feel they are being
allowed to do their deeds in peace.
On the other hand, if we do not repel the attacks of others, the same
confusion can occur. If an attacker like Hitler (generally, the attackers are
similar), whose purpose is to destroy hundreds of thousands of people, is
allowed to work in peace and we look away, then we act as though we accept what
is wrong. The use of a gun in defense can be justified for this reason.
The negative points
- When we search for arguments against
the use of guns, one of the most important reasons is certainly that man is an
eternal being who either goes to Heaven or Hell. If a man happens to die ahead
of his time in a war, he no longer has the possibility to change his mind,
which is unfortunate. He needs to hear the message of the Gospel and receive
salvation before crossing the border. In the letters to the Hebrews, we are
taught that we only have this one life. It is not possible to change our mind
after this life:
- (Hebr 9:27)
And as it
is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:
- Jesus said, “Put
up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall
perish with the sword.”
(Matt 26:52). In the same way, He advised us to love our enemies and to pray
for them. These are good pieces of advice, since we meet our neighbors every
day:
- (Matt 5:43-48) You have heard that it
has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully
use you, and persecute you;
45 That you may be the children of your Father which is
in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends
rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you love them which love you, what reward have
you? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if you salute your brothers only, what do you more
than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be
you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- Another point is that any
expression of anger and hate towards other nations is certainly not following
the will of God. It is not right that people and nations are hated and
despised. It is exalting yourself and judging others, about which Jesus warned
us. However, the right expression of love for one’s country it is not made
through such animosity; we must appreciate our neighbor nations and other
nationalities, not only our own nation or certain nations.
Frank Bartleman stated in his book Azusa Street (about the
beginning of the Pentecostal Movement) that wars harden people and their hearts
fill with hate. The description refers to the time just before the First World
War when he went to Europe. He states also that to him, the Gospel is the same
both during peace and war:
We did not want to return to America so soon,
but we were forced to leave because of safety. Besides, all the efforts of the
nations aimed at that people’s hearts would fill with hate and bloodthirstiness.
There did not seem to be any room for the spirit of the Gospel. The Sermon on
the Mount has nothing in common with the principles of “the god of war”. During
a war, people are expected to do their best to hate, curse, and kill enemies, certainly
not to love them. Let others do so, if they think it is suitable, but to me the
Gospel is perfectly same during piece and war. “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and for ever.”
(…)
”Seven fat years” in the beginning of pouring out of the Pentecost. “Seven lean
years” on the eve of the World War. We prophesied it in the beginning. We could
also see how churches would get highly involved in it. The religiousness
hardened. What is next? Luther expected “the end of the world” in his time.
MUSIC.
Continuing the list of idols in people’s lives, a very common one is so-called
Christian hard rock and the worldly rock music liked by some. This may bind
many people so that they spend several hours listening to it daily. It can be a
similar idol as TV and movies that take our time.
However, we should ask
ourselves to identify the fruits from this kind of aggressive and angry music
that goes completely against the nature of the Holy Spirit of God. Is it not a
fact that this kind of music generally produces nothing positive? It does not
make people aware of their sins, nor does it result in godly sorrow or genuine
repentance, hunger towards Christ, or respect and worship of God. On the other
hand, the more common and more peaceful and happy praise music can lead people
toward God. This kind of hard rock music completely lacks these kinds of good
results.
It is quite another thing for someone to say that he has turned to God
and that the Holy Spirit has exposed our condition and shown us our need for
salvation. Regeneration comes from Heaven but it is
possible to make decisions without the renewing work of God’s Spirit in our
heart and without real repentance.
One can generally say that the harder the so-called
Christian rock is, the more superficial is the faith; perhaps people have
not yet experienced real salvation, and thus cannot lead others into salvation.
David Wilkerson writes about this in his book Pasuuna soi (Set the
Trumpet to the Mouth), p. 101. He says that many people are so bound by this
music that it is more difficult for them to give it up than to give up
stimulants. They can cling to the music, even though the Lord has full control
in other areas of their life:
One reason the Spirit of God
left the Jesus awakening last decade is that they refused to reject their old
music. They gave up marijuana, heroin, alcohol, wrong sex, and even their
distorted life style. But their dear rock music they have not given up. "But now, after that you have known God, or rather are
known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto
you desire again to be in bondage?" (Gal 4:9)...
Surprising! I
say that its hold is more powerful than drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. It is the
largest mass affection in the world’s history. Are they going to hold on to it
even before the judgment of God? Will Christ say, "I tell you that one
thing is lacking from you; one idol has remained. You wandered your way
head strong. The music which grieved me, you let control your life: all this
for the sake of not giving everything to me!”
"But you have made me to
serve with your sins, you have wearied me with your iniquities." (Isa 43:24).
